Building Community One Book at a Time
Nicole outside "Eugene the Reading Machine".
"Eugene the Reading Machine" is a taco truck turned outdoor library, painted teal and adorned with rainbow-colored bookshelves and a wooden platform where students can sit and read. Eugene provides a creative and inviting library for students at the Watsonville Charter School of the Arts in Watsonville, CA. Nicole, a second-year NDMV Volunteer, serves as the outdoor library's dedicated librarian, going above and beyond to ensure every student feels empowered to be anything they dream.
Thanks to Nicole's commitment, the mobile library remains open rain or shine. On rainy days, she packs up books and visits each classroom, ensuring students can always check out a book.
When asked why she returned for a second year of service, Nicole shared that she wanted to ensure children continued to have access to the library they love. Her steady presence and warm personality help students feel comfortable exploring their interests.
Nicole recognizes the impact she has as a consistent adult in her students' lives. As a parent herself, she values making connections with other parents and greeting them with a smile during morning drop-offs. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve her community and be actively involved in her child’s education.
Nicole acknowledged that without the living stipend provided to NDMV Volunteers, she couldn’t dedicate as much time and energy to the library. Without the financial support, she would need to spend more time at her other job instead of serving as the librarian. She explained that without her consistent presence, the school would have to rely on several parent volunteers. As Nicole put it, "The NDMV program provides children with a reliable, caring adult, which is crucial for their development."
Nicole recalls a time when a couple of students were interested in reading, but struggled to stay focused and distracted others during library time. Wanting to engage them, she encouraged the students to create their own stories since they weren’t interested in the ones on the library shelves. The prompt inspired and empowered the students, and they began writing their own stories, which Nicole then read to other groups. Their participation sparked a ripple effect—soon, other students were creating their own stories as well.
This moment captures what matters most to Nicole: students coming to the library and feeling inspired to do more than they thought they could. She loves being a librarian because, as she explains, "through my work, students might discover something they love and potentially contribute positively to their communities in the future."
Nicole has used her role to strengthen community bonds among students, parents, and the broader Watsonville area. Community members have donated numerous books to expand the library’s shelves, and Nicole often finds unique books at local thrift stores to add to the collection.
She has wholeheartedly embraced her roles as both an NDMV Volunteer and librarian, serving with genuine passion and dedication. She believes that if her service as a librarian inspires even one student to dream big, every effort has been worthwhile.
